If you own a business but don’t have a website, you’re probably losing customers. Not only that, if you’re not taking advantage of a variety of tools and site design and conversion optimisation strategies, you’re missing out on revenue.
Even for those who have a website, there are many thousands of business owners who are confused when it comes to maximising their sites potential revenue.
Some people hold to the view that, “if you build it they will come”. For most of us, this just isn’t true.
To have a successful site, you must roll up your sleeves and do the yards. You will need to work on it.
You should view your website just like any other piece of real estate. It has genuine monetary value and is an asset that could increase the overall worth of your business.
That said, you don’t have to pour out thousands of pounds to maintain or improve your website. A little research and some smart web design strategies is all that’s required to not only maintain your business online but to boost business sales.
It’s possible your site will only need a few minor adjustments. These changes, although small, can have a huge impact and increase profitability, customer loyalty and revenue.
What follows may be considered the open secrets of good web design. These are the obvious but often forgotten points in web design, style, colour, layout and toned that are often neglected to the detriment of business sales.
Companies use a combination of tactics to grow their business. With the right design, content, and global capacity, there’s no reason your business shouldn’t grow.
The key to a viable website is conversion. You want to take visitors and lead them through a point of decision – even if that decision is something as small as liking your page or leaving a comment.
It involves trial and error, but that’s ok.
By eliminating programs that don’t work, you increase your chances of reaching your goals. The ones that work will usually be those that have the track record – and potential – of boosting business sales.
Your Website Design and Features
Do you want to increase website traffic and revenue? A website makeover could help. The strategic placement of ads, call to action and purposeful information can increase your marketing success and improve client retention rates.
According to Mashable, a design upgrade, or even a few intelligent tweaks can increase your leads by 300%.
While there are many new features, bells and whistles that are promoted among designers, from a business perspective – as well as an SEO perspective – the rules have not changed that much. Site speed still matters.
So do your site colors, layout and calls to action. So, get these sorted out first.
Simple navigation, minimal interruptions and short steps are all standard design features for high converting websites.
Become a YouTube Sensation
Videos add a personal touch. They reach more people than automated chat boxes and pictures. Think about adding visual content to your site via your YouTube channel, home or landing page.
If you’re successful and consistent in your video marketing, then there’s a good chance that the number of viewers will climb.
The right videos will entice readers to stay longer and even encourage conversation and sharing. The right catchphrase will increase popularity as well.
Mind Your Language
Be mindful of the cultural background on location of your audience. Whether you are local based business or and international store, you need to make it easy for a multicultural society to navigate and take action on your site.
This may include adding language tools and currency conversion tools.
Content Reigns Supreme
Alongside links, content still reigns supreme when it comes to what matters most on your website.
One way you can take advantage of the content opportunities on the web is to have an engaging and original blog or similar means of communicating on a regular basis with your audience.
Content means more than words. This is your opportunity to put your expertise on show and there are many ways you could do this.
Regular posts attract organic traffic and potentially a loyal following. Once a week is enough to keep the website alive. For some businesses once a month will be adequate.
Learn a little more about the expectations of your market and of the implications of whichever content marketing strategy you adopt.
You should attempt a combination of visual and written content and be using social media management to promote your campaigns.
What’s Your Style and Tone?
According to Lead Forensics, most people only scan material. Considering this, it’s critical to highlight the main features and benefits of the service, product or conversation you are trying to promote.
Your audience will appreciate language and a style or tone they can relate too. Again, much of your web designs’ success comes down to knowing your audience.
It’s also good to remember that not everyone who surfs the web is tech savvy. Be yourself, but also keep your visitor or customer profile in mind.
Your web design should be easy to navigate, clean and accessible. You want to remove as many hurdles as you can. You can start by ensuring that the style and tone encapsulated in your web design matches user intent and is free from clutter.
Make sure that people feel comfortable and safe with your business by adopting a trustworthy web design.
This means, as a rule, minimising gimmicks and excessive boasting and putting policies regarding your service, site privacy and guarantees in place.
As to tone, don’t “yell” at your site visitors through colour, language or style… unless of course, you are thrash metal band, in which case the louder the better.
What are Your Customers Saying About You?
Posting customer reviews are another critical aspect of web design. Contrary to a popular meme, what others say about you is your business. Their comments, good and evil, shouldn’t be a secret.
Trust is imperative to a lasting business whether it has a physical or an online address.
Customer reviews give new visitors a foundation. If you want to increase your visibility, include the reviews on your site. Know who your audience is and cater to them. Make your customer’s comments accessible to everyone – professionals, entrepreneurs, stay-at-home mums, friends and neighbours.
Take Out Distractions
Know when less is more. When your web page has too many ads, pop-ups or coupon offers, it can take viewer’s attention away from the content. It’s like having too many commercials that interrupt your favourite TV shows.
They are annoying. Pick purposeful offers and stick with them.
Having too many offers will confuse anyone, so wipe-out anything that takes away from your customer’s attention, especially when it deters them from buying or returning to the website.
To attract and retain customers, you must offer them something of value. Whatever that thing of value is, your job – and the goal of your design – is to guide people to accept your value proposition. Whether it’s a decision to subscribe, phone you or make a purchase.
Your website is to showcase the features, benefits and unique selling points of whatever it is you have to offer in such a way that it removes objections and convinces them to take the action you want them to take.
This guest blog was written by David Trounce. David is a digital business and marketing consultant and the founder of MalleeBlue Media. David lives in Australia and is also a contributor to Lendio, Power Retail and Digital Marketing Magazine.
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